Cletus Wesley Smith (Clete) Horne, age 91, passed away peacefully at Laurel Crest in West Columbia, SC on January 8, 2016. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Bonnie Cleo Horne. Clete was born in Union County, NC. He is the son of the late Wesley C. and Bertie L. Horne. He was one of nine children, with the last dying at childbirth. Mr. Horne married Bonnie Cleo Crowell Fowler after her husband, Roy F. Fowler, a US Marine, was killed in the Pacific during World War II. That marriage produced two children, Brenda Gayle F. Poole and Roy F. Fowler, Jr., both of Mint Hill, NC. Some years later Mr. Horne, a World War II Navy veteran married Bonnie Cleo F. Crowell, assuming fatherhood of her two small children. The marriage lasted more than 66 years, until Mrs. Horne's death. Two children were also born of this marriage, Daniel C. "Hank" Horne and Bonnie Horne Page, both of Lexington, SC. Mr. Horne and his wife raised all four children, all of which survive him. Also surviving are his six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brothers, Dale and Hoyle Horne, both of Health Springs, SC; and sisters, Nathera Robinson of Health Springs, SC and Gladys H. Armstrong of Laurinburg, NC. Mr. Horne was predeceased by brothers, Lavoyd C. "Bill" Horne and Jerome B. Horne and sister Geraldine H. Carns.

Throughout much of his career, Mr. Horne served as a corporate attorney with the Farm Credit Bank of Columbia. He became president of the Federal Land Bank of Columbia and of the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Columbia and the Production Credit Association all of which later merged as Agfirst Farm Credit Banks from 1978 until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Horne was active in Zion Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher for senior adults, several terms as a church councilman, and chairman of various church committees. He was also a former trustee of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and served as treasurer. Prior to his affiliation with the Lutheran Church, Mr. Horne served as a trustee of the SC Methodist conference. Clete and his family were long time members of College Place United Methodist Church.

Mr. Horne was a former member of Columbia Rotary Club and served as a director of the club. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, the SC Bar Association and Richland and Lexington Bar Association.

His civic affairs included serving a term as director of Midlands United Way, and as a volunteer worker and pro bono work with the Sister Care organization. His strong spirit of volunteering continued in numerous other ways until very late in his life.

A memorial service will be held at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia at one o'clock, Tuesday, January 12th. The family will greet visitors at 12:30 o'clock prior to the service. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park, Monroe, NC at four o'clock. Memorial contributions may be made to Sister Care, PO Box 1029, Columbia, SC 29202, Zion Lutheran Church, 225 Corley Mill Rd, Lexington, SC, 29072 or a charity of one's choice.

The family of Clete Horne sincerely thanks the staff of Laurel Crest for their loving care.

Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel is assisting the family.